Insurance Industry Meets Challenge As Hurricanes Tear Through Southeast

National and state insurance industry associations reacted speedily as hurricanes Charley, Ivan, Frances and Jeanne tore through the southeast — all four landing in Florida and continuing on to devastate states as far north as Pennsylva-nia and West Virginia. As the extent of damage mounted into tens-of-billions of dollars, industry associations set up hurricane information centers, command posts and disaster relief funds. They had three goals: keeping agents abreast of developments, helping customers and providing assistance to emergency workers.

The Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA), the Professional Insurance Agents of Florida (PIA), and Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA), rallied members to help hurricane victims.

The Internet played a key role as these associations and several others set up “Hurricane Command Posts” and “Action Alerts” on their Web sites. They updated their sites several times a day with claims information, medical information, FEMA assistance and adjusters’ requirements.

“By clicking the FAIA command post, members could find information about the hurricanes,” explained J. Scott John-son, executive vice president. “Under each hurricane there was an action alert with notices to members about what other members were doing and what needed to be done.”

FAIA established a disaster relief fund for money where Florida agents and non-Florida industry volunteers could contribute money to agencies in need. The funds are for generators, computer equipment, office supplies and other provisions to restore an agency’s ability to respond to the public.

FAIA offered financial aid to agency personnel that experienced debilitating personal hardship.

Larry Thompson, FAIA vice president and c.f.o., is spearheading the fund, he can be contacted at (850) 893-4155, ext. 334, or checks can be mailed to the FAIA Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 12129, Tallahassee, Fla. 32317-2129.

“It’s probable that some needs will not be immediately identified due to insurance reimbursements and other factors that disguise the long-term impact, so the funds will be disseminated at a later date, based on need and availability,” explained Thompson.

The day after Hurricane Jeanne sped across Florida donations to the fund totaled more than $20,000. Johnson dispatched several staff members to visit neighborhoods south of Orlando and assess damage.

PIA sent staff and volunteers into devastated areas with an RV, donated by PIA partner-in-action MacNeill Group, full of supplies to assist agents in need. The PIA website offered links to other sources of help: FEMA, State Farm’s mobile facilities, and Progressive’s mobile facilities.

“I am truly amazed at independent agents’ resolve and determination to work with what they have to provide the best service possible for their customers,” said Donnie McMahon, PIA president. “The generous outpouring of members’ volunteerism has touched many of their affected colleagues.

In areas damaged by hurricanes, PIA aired public service announcements, in English and Spanish offering assistance to any agent in need. Calls were made to all members in a coordinated effort to match needs with resources in a comprehensive volunteer list. The PIA Web site was updated often with information about claims, medical information, FEMA assistance and adjusters requirements.

Hurricane Charley tossed this building on its side near Orlando